Our Cause

Families Awaiting Transplant

Apartments

In 2000, in an effort to endow its efforts, the Nicklas Foundation was presented with an opportunity to build an Apartment complex in Grand Prairie, TX. With this new venture, the Foundation was not only able to generate funds and provide much needed awareness; it also enabled us to help actual transplant families.

In the beginning of our fourth year of operation, the Foundation was able to create our first “Transplant Family” apartment. Since then, the Nicklas Foundation has had the privilege of helping 70+ families by providing housing while a loved one waits for their “gift of life”. In many cases, families with loved ones waiting for a life saving transplant must travel to cities where transplant hospitals are located. (In order to be listed on the transplant waiting list a recipient must live within a certain proximity to a transplant hospital.) This usually creates a financial burden on families who are not only incurring high medical bills but also the cost of living away from home. It is the hope of the Nicklas Foundation that we can ease some of their burden and offer these families a safe home away from home at no cost to them. Families are not bound by a time frame and are welcome to remain in one of our “Transplant Units” until the hospital releases them to return home. **All units are located on the first floor and come fully furnished.

It is our hope that with the support of hospitals, charitable organizations and donations we will be able to help many more families by providing free housing for transplant recipients.

Scholarships

In 1999 the Nicklas Foundation created a scholarship fund in an effort to bring the much needed awareness of organ donation to the youth of our community. Each year the Foundation has provided at least one $1,000.00 scholarship to a high school senior in Grand Prairie, TX.

In 2009 we increased the scholarship amount to $5,000.00. Each applicant must provide a 500 word essay regarding organ donation and its effects on the donor and/or recipient family. Thru 2016, the Foundation has awarded over $55,000.00 in scholarships to graduating seniors from the GPISD.